Old Sarum

I have read the novel, Sarum, twice. Consequently, I wanted to revisit this location I first saw in 1989.

As early as 3000 BC, hunters & later farming communities occupied this site. It was originally an Iron Age hill fort placed on the conjunction of 2 trade routes and the River Avon. Later the site was inhabited by the Romans, followed by the Saxons. Still later, the Normans constructed a castle for King Henry I. 

A Norman cathedral was built at the western edge of the town. This was demolished in 1219 (yes... 1219) in favour of a new one near the river. Townspeople moved down to the new city, then called New Sarum or New Salisbury.

When I return from this holiday I think I'll reread the novel, Sarum.